Fashion

New York Fashion Week front row: the best celebrity sightings, from Demi Moore to Sam Smith

Celebrities have descended on New York for fashion week, and are soaking up shows from the front row

Joe Bromley12 February 2024

New York Fashion Week front row: the best celebrity sightings, from Demi Moore to Sam Smith

New York Fashion Week front row AW24: the best celebrity sightings, from Demi Moore to Sam SmithCelebrities have descended on New York for fashion week, and are soaking up shows from the front rowAnna Wintour, Demi Moore and Diane Kruger at Carolina HerreraReuters

New York is flush with celebrities — from the US and further flung — as its autumn winter 2024 fashion week unfurls.

A bright Monday morning in New York was perked up by the 10am Carolina Herrera show, designed by Wes Gordon — the clientele a glamorous flurry of Upper East Side dwellers, their grey hair perfectly blow dried and rotund pearls firmly in lobes. Leading the stars brushing off any signs of a Sunday Super Bowl hangover was Demi Moore, who sat between Diane Kruger and Anna Wintour, to see the show.

Anna Wintour, Demi Moore and Diane Kruger at Carolina HerreraReuters

On Sunday, heads turned to Sam Smith who arrived in a flurry of taffeta (“I feel like Calamity Jane,” they quipped) to see their partner, the British designer, Christian Cowan’s collection of camp pageantry. They sat alongside their mother, Kate Cassidy, and American singer Becky G.

Sam Smith at the Christian Cowan show in New York

Sam Smith at Christian Cowan Getty Images

On Saturday (February 10), Proenza Schouler was the show to be seen at. The label is known amongst insiders as the “editor’s choice” thanks to its strong and unfaltering sense of direction, and its cult fanbase arrived at the Chelsea Factory at midday to support. Marc Jacobs watched on (in glitter gold ballet pumps, no less) alongside his husband Charly Defrancesco, while Londoner Alexa Chung made her first NYFW appearance this season.

Alexa Chung at Proenza Schouler Jed Cullen/Dave Benett

Jacobs continued his role as the designer’s designer, winding up to The Strand Bookstore’s third floor to see his peer Anna Sui’s collection; the pair both rose to acclaim in eighties New York. Jacobs was sandwiched between Defrancesco and, to great excitement, Priscilla director Sofia Coppola.

Marc Jacobs and Char Defrancesco at Anna Sui Anna Sui

People gathered in their hundreds, deep in the gallows of Grand Central Station on Friday (February 9) night. It marked Tommy Hilfiger’s return to New York Fashion Week, having not shown in the city since September 2022. And in a collection that acted as a love letter to the big apple, the all-American designer overran the transport hub’s storied oyster bar to put on a show.

Elliot Grainge and Sofia Richie at Tommy HilfigerGetty Images

The masses, for once not waiting for trains, but for stars, were not disappointed. Sofia Richie, who covered a baby bump in her tan trench, arrived with her husband Elliot Grainge, grinning as a new face for the brand.

Inside, where martinis, negronis and Veuve Clicquot champagne flowed like a sports bar, she joined Sylvester Stallone and his wife of more than 25 years Jennifer Flavin. Flown in from London was Bollywood star and Notting Hill resident Sonam Kapoor, actor Damson Idris and influencer-cum-models Gstaad Guy and Romeo Beckham beau Mia Regan. Also there were Thai actors Phuwin Tangsakyuen, Naravit Lertratkosum and Metawin Opas-iamkajorn, as well as Real Housewives of New York star and former president of retailer J.Crew, Jenna Lyons.

Damson Idris and Sonam Kapoor at Tommy HilfigerGetty Images

The Hilfiger show came after sightings of Kathy Hilton and model Coco Rocha at Prabal Gurang, and Tommy Dorfman at Collina Strada earlier that day.

New York Fashion Week continues until Wednesday 14 February, with key shows including Christian Cowan and Ludovic de Saint Sernin on Sunday, Coach and Tory Burch on Monday, Gabriela Hearst and Michael Kors on Tuesday and, finally, Thom Browne on Wednesday.